London – March 4, 2026 – The British government has imposed an immediate and indefinite suspension on student visas for nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, and on work visas specifically for Afghan nationals, in what Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described as an “unprecedented” measure to prevent abuse of the UK’s asylum system.

Announcing the decision on March 3, Mahmood accused individuals from these countries of exploiting legal migration routes—particularly study visas—as a “backdoor” to claim asylum after arrival. Home Office figures show that 39% of the 100,000 asylum claims made in 2025 were lodged by people who had entered legally, with nationals from the four suspended countries accounting for a significant portion of the spike between 2021 and September 2025.

“Britain will always provide refuge to people fleeing war and persecution, but our visa system must not be abused,” Mahmood stated. “That is why I am taking the unprecedented decision to refuse visas for those nationals seeking to exploit our generosity. I will restore order and control to our borders.”

The visa ban will take formal effect through an immigration rules change on Thursday, March 5. The Home Office said the suspension is necessary to protect the integrity of the points-based system and reduce pressure on asylum processing.

Broader context shows asylum grant rates falling overall—from 47% in 2024 to 42% in 2025—with sharp drops for certain nationalities: Syrians (98% to 9%), Afghans (51% to 34%), and Pakistanis (53% to 35%). The number of people arriving on work visas also declined by 19% in 2025, largely due to stricter health and care visa rules introduced last year.

The move follows similar pressure tactics in November 2025, when the UK threatened to halt all visas for Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo unless they accepted returns of failed asylum seekers and illegal migrants. Cooperation agreements were subsequently reached with all three countries, leading to deportation flights.

The government has also signalled plans to review refugee status every 30 months and require returns for those whose countries are deemed safe, further tightening the asylum framework.

The suspension has drawn immediate criticism from human rights groups and education providers, who warn it could disproportionately harm genuine students fleeing conflict and persecution, while supporters argue it is a necessary step to deter system abuse and restore public confidence in immigration controls.

There are some dishes that merely feed you, and then there is Tuo Zaafi—the Northern Ghanaian staple that practically hugs you from the inside.

Known affectionately as “TZ” or “Saakbo” among the Frafra, this soft, smooth dumpling of corn or millet flour has migrated from the rural compounds of the North to become a street food sensation in Accra’s bustling Nima and beyond. But to call it just “street food” misses the point entirely.

What makes TZ a must-taste isn’t merely its texture—that pillowy, less-sticky cousin of banku—but the ritual that surrounds it. The name itself tells a story: from the Hausa tuo (stirring) and zaafi (hot), a nod to the arm-work required to paddle this dough into submission.

Yet the real magic happens when it meets its soulmate: a slimy, aromatic ayoyo soup,stained green with jute leaves and turbocharged with dawadawa, that fermented locust bean that tastes as umami exploded.

@chefabbys Final Episode of my Outdoor Ghana Staple Food Series and on todays menu is TUOZAFI with Ayoyo Soup and Stew! This is so delicious. With the training I got from my Hajia friend , I'm glad I made this. #foryou #fyp #foryoupage #viral ♬ OZEBA – Rema

Here’s the thing nutritionists won’t stop whispering about: TZ is secretly a superhero. That slippery soup? Lowers cholesterol. The whole combination? A balanced meal that keeps diabetics stable and skin glowing.

But honestly, locals don’t eat it for the health kick. They eat it because nothing else says “you are home” quite like this.

Anthropologists studying the Dagaaba observe that households will prepare TZ for guests even when they‘ve cooked something else for themselves.

It is the edible handshake, the carbohydrate cordiality. So when you finally tip that hot, shea-butter-garnished ball into the peppery soup, you’re not just tasting grain and greens. You’re tasting generations of welcome.

At 885 meters above sea level, Mountain Afadjato isn’t trying to compete with the giants of the world. It doesn’t have snowcaps or death-defying cliffs. But for those who make the pilgrimage to the Volta Region, this lush, green behemoth offers something better than altitude—it offers a story.

Standing on the border of Ghana and Togo, Afadjato (often called Mount Afadja) is officially the highest point in Ghana. But the locals in the surrounding villages of Liati Wote and Gbledi won’t just rattle off statistics; they’ll tell you the meaning behind the name.

Derived from the Ewe word Avadzeto, it translates loosely to “at war with the bush”. According to lore, an irritating plant grew on its slopes that gave early settlers and hunters a tough time. That stubbornness is embedded in the mountain’s DNA.

As you climb, you’ll realize that this peak isn’t just a landmark; it’s a living memory of resilience.

The Climb: A Test of Will

If you arrive expecting a gentle amble through the forest, think again. The path starts innocently enough, winding through farms and thickets, but soon the angle sharpens. The real Ghana—the one you don’t see from the window of a car—reveals itself in the fine details: the bright flash of a butterfly (over 800 species flutter through this region), the call of the colobus monkey hidden in the canopy, and the gradual shift in vegetation as you ascend.

@ishoot.ghana Before: ‘We got this!’ 💪🏾 After: ‘Mount Afadjato got us!’ 😅 What a climb! @escape_accragh @Scanty Explores! #MountAfadjato #GhanaTravel #VisitGhana #HikingGhana #ExploreGhana #GhanaTourism #GhanaAdventures #WestAfricaTravel #HikingWithFriends #TravelVibes #BeforeAndAfter ♬ Real Thing – Kwesi Arthur

Hiking Afadjato takes about 45 minutes to an hour to reach the top if you’re in decent shape, though some energetic souls have sprinted up in under 20 minutes.

The trail is manageable for most, but there’s a moment—usually halfway up—where the humidity hits, and your legs start to burn. It’s here that the mountain lives up to its “warrior” namesake. You dig deep, you push through, and then suddenly, the trees part.

The View That Pays the Debt

At the top, the wind greets you first. Then comes the silence. Looking out over the Volta Region, you see the rolling hills of the Agumatsa range disappear into Togo.

From this vantage, the villages below look like toy models scattered on a green carpet. It’s a view that reminds you that Ghana is so much more than coastlines and castles—it’s a land of high places and wide skies.

But the summit isn’t the only reason to come here. The real magic of Afadjato lies at its base.

Why You Should Visit Now

Visiting this mountain isn’t just a physical challenge; it’s an investment in community-driven tourism. The fees paid at the tourist center in Liati Wote go directly back into local projects and conservation efforts—a model that keeps the trail clean and the villages prosperous.

Plus, the location is a hub for adventure. After descending (on shaky legs, mind you), you’re just a short drive from the Wli Waterfalls, the highest waterfall in West Africa, or the tranquil Tagbo Falls, perfect for cooling off.

You can also visit the Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary or drive up to Amedzofe, the highest habitable town in Ghana, where an iron cross planted by German missionaries in 1939 still stands rust-free atop Mount Gemi.

The Final Word

Mountain Afadjato is not about conquering. The mountain isn’t your enemy; it’s an elder. It stands there patiently, watching over the Volta Region, waiting for you to come and listen.

Whether you come for the fitness challenge, the butterflies, or just to say you stood on top of Ghana, you’ll leave with something unexpected—a quiet understanding that the highest points in life aren’t just about the view, but about the climb itself.